Easy loading silverware basket

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher system for cleaning dishes may include at least one rack configured to receive a silverware basket, the basket including a plurality of partitions creating a plurality of cavities within the basket for receiving utensils for washing, where each cavity includes a separate and distinct base at a bottom of the basket that is vertically movable within the cavity, a camshaft fixed to the rack and operable by a gearbox configured to rotate the camshaft with respect to the rack, the camshaft arranged below the silverware basket, and a plurality of cams extending along the camshaft, at least one cam being arranged below each cavity, wherein upon rotation of the camshaft by the gearbox, each cam affects the height of the respective base to allow the utensils in the respective cavity to be intermittently lifted and exposed to spray from sprayers within the dishwasher.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Disclosed herein are easy loading silverware baskets for dishwashers.

BACKGROUND

Dishwashers often include removable baskets for utensils and other item-specific storage. During a wash cycle, spray may hit utensils stored in the basket in order to clean the utensils. However, the utensils are generally stationary and spray patterns may not reach all surfaces of the utensils.

SUMMARY

A dishwasher system for cleaning dishes may include at least one rack configured to receive a silverware basket, the basket including a plurality of partitions creating a plurality of cavities within the basket for receiving utensils for washing, where each cavity includes a separate and distinct base at a bottom of the basket that is vertically movable within the cavity, a camshaft fixed to the rack and operable by a gearbox configured to rotate the camshaft with respect to the rack, the camshaft arranged below the silverware basket, and a plurality of cams extending along the camshaft, at least one cam being arranged below each cavity, wherein upon rotation of the camshaft by the gearbox, each cam affects the height of the respective base to allow the utensils in the respective cavity to be intermittently lifted and exposed to spray from sprayers within the dishwasher.

A utensil tray for a dishwasher for housing utensils during washing may include a utensil basket including a plurality of partitions creating a plurality of cavities within the basket, and a separate and distinct base arranged at a bottom of the basket that is vertically movable within the cavity to selectively lift utensils arranged therein in response to a cam arranged along a rotating camshaft below the basket affecting the height of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features of the various embodiments will become more apparent and will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example front perspective view of a dishwasher in accordance with one example embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away view of an example silverware basket assembly;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevational view of an example silverware basket and camshaft assembly where one of the bases is in a first or lower position; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevational view of an example silverware basket and camshaft assembly where one of the bases is in a second or higher position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Dishwashers often include baskets that are removable to load special items such as silverware, chopsticks, cooking utensils, etc. The items are cleaned by liquid spray generated by various sprayers within the dishwasher. However, oftentimes the items within the basket may become grouped together within the basket. Various basket designs attempt to mitigate this by including separate compartments for reviewing the utensils. In one example, a grid-like basket top may define various openings for silverware to be inserted one by one. However, this is time consuming, limits the number of utensils the basket can hold, and limits the flexibility of the basket to be used for different items that vary in size.

Disclosed herein is a utensil basket and assembly configured to selectively adjust the height of silverware within a compartment to vary the surface at which the spray comes into contact with during a wash cycle. A camshaft mechanism may be arranged below the basket such that during a wash cycle, the camshaft mechanism may rotate to lift and then lower a base below each silverware compartment at periodic intervals to push the silverware up and then down and into the spray pattern for better cleaning. Moreover, the motion may cause movement within the utensils within the basket to prevent them from becoming grouped together.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example front perspective view of a dishwasher 100 in accordance with one example embodiment. The dishwasher 100 may be an automated appliance configured to clean kitchen equipment placed within the dishwasher 100. The kitchen equipment may include tableware such as dishes, glassware, cutlery and other utensils, and well as food preparation equipment such as pots and pans, slicers, presses, and peelers. To perform the cleaning, the kitchen equipment is placed on racks 122, 124 inside a tub 104 of the dishwasher 100. A door assembly 110 is closed to form a watertight seal around the tub 104. Washing liquid and rinsing liquid is propelled from jets onto the kitchen equipment to clean dirt, grease, and other contaminants off the kitchen equipment. Though the examples described herein are generally related to in-home and personal use dishwashers, the same concepts may be applicable to commercial dishwashers as well.

The dishwasher 100 may include a frame 102 defining the exterior of the dishwasher 100. The frame 102 may be configured to interface with components exterior to the dishwasher 100 for installation, such as cabinets, countertops, floors, etc. The frame 102 may include a top, left side, right side, back, and bottom.

The tub 104 may define a hollow cavity or interior of the dishwasher for washing dishes. The tub 104 may define an open-face, or access opening 106 with walls at the top, left side, right side, back and bottom. A chassis (not individually labeled) may be arranged between the frame 102 and the tub 104 to maintain the tub 104 within the frame. The chassis may support the tub 104 and allow for maintaining space between the frame 102 and the tub 104.

A door assembly 110 may be arranged at a front of the dishwasher 100. The door assembly 110 may be attached to the dishwasher at the bottom front edge of the frame 102 and may be hinged thereat to move between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the door assembly 110 may seal the tub 104 at the access opening 106. In the open position, the cavity may be accessible via the access opening. In another example, the door assembly 110 may operate as a drawer that can be slidably extended outward from the front of the dishwasher 100 to move into the open position, and slidably retracted back into the dishwasher 100 to the closed position to seal the tub 104.

The tub 104 may house at least one dish rack. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the dishwasher 100 includes a first dish rack 122 and a second dish rack 124. It should be noted that while two disk racks are shown, this is only one example, and dishwashers 100 with more or fewer dish racks are possible. For instance, a dishwasher 100 may include a single rack or three or more racks.

Regardless of quantity or arrangement, the dish racks 122, 124 may be designed to hold the kitchen equipment in place for cleaning by the dishwasher 100. In many examples the dish racks 122, 124 are wire frame racks that allow for the flow of liquid within the tub 104. Although racks 122, 124 made of plastic, other materials are possible. The dish racks 122, 124 may generally include tines or other projections to allow the kitchen equipment to be washed to be held in a spaced apart relationship, such that the washing liquid and rinsing liquid can be projected onto the exposed kitchen equipment surfaces for cleaning these surfaces.

The racks are generally adapted to move between a retracted wash position within the tub 104 and an extended position outside the tub 104 for loading and unloading of the kitchen equipment to be washed. The racks typically include wheels or rollers for rolling movement along tracks or guides to the retracted and extended positions. In the illustrated example, the first rack 122 includes rollers or wheels that cooperate with a first track 132 formed at the bottom wall of the tub 104. A door track 111 may be arranged on the dishwasher door 110 as shown to allow the first rack to be rolled into an extended position when the door 110 is open. The second rack 124 is generally mounted within the tub 104 along a pair of second support rails 134 that cooperate with rollers associated with the side walls of the tub 104. Alternatively, the second rack 124 may be connected to a telescoping rail that allows the second rack to be extended out of the tub area when the door 110 is open. Thus, as shown the first and second racks 122, 124 may be movable along their respective track rails 132, 134 to allow the respective racks 122, 124 to be slidable in and out of the access opening 106.

The dishwasher 100 may also include a spray system for spraying liquid within the tub 104 during a cleaning cycle. In an example cycle, washing liquid including soap may first be sprayed onto the kitchen equipment, and then once washed, rinsing liquid without soap may then be sprayed onto the kitchen equipment. The spray system may include various jets for providing the liquid onto the surfaces of dishes during the automated washing and rinsing operations. The spray system may include a bottom sprayer 142, middle sprayer 144, and a top sprayer (not shown). In some examples, one or more of the sprayers are positioned at fixed locations within the tub 104. In other examples, one or more of the sprayers may be rotating spray arms with various nozzles configured to spray water onto the dishes maintained on the rack for cleaning. For instance, water jets on the spray arm may be angled so the water sprays out of the spray arms at an angle (e.g., ˜45 degrees off the vertical) thereby causing the spray arms to rotate due to the pressure of the exiting water.

During loading, a user may open the door assembly 110 into the open position, pull the racks 122, 124 from the tub 104, and load the kitchen equipment onto the racks 122, 124. Once completed, the user may push the racks back into the tub 104, move the door assembly 110 back to the closed position, and initiate the cleaning cycle. Once the cleaning cycle has been completed, the user may again open the door assembly 110 to remove the cleaned kitchen equipment from the racks.

A third rack 126 may be arranged on and above one or more of the racks 122, 124. In the illustrated example, the third rack 126 is arranged above the second rack 124, but other configurations are possible, such as a single rack with a tray 126, or multiple racks each with a third rack 126, or one rack with multiple trays. As with the dish racks 122, 124, the third rack 126 is configured to receive kitchen equipment for washing. In one non-limiting example, the third rack 126 may be designed to hold kitchen equipment such as chopsticks or knives that, due to their dimensions, are more difficult to hold in a fixed spaced apart arrangement within the dish racks 122, 124 themselves.

Dishwashers often include removable storage or specific purpose storage to allow for better cleaning of certain utensils. In one example, a utensil basket 150 may be arranged in one of the racks 122, 124, 126. In the examples shown herein, the basket 150 is arranged in the first rack 122. The basket 150 may be fixed within the rack 122, and also may be selectively removable to allow for easier loading and unloading of items. Various tines or pins may be included on the rack 122 to maintain the basket 150 in a fixed position within the rack 122. The tines or pins of the rack 122 may be configured to receive the basket 150 at various locations, allowing for greater loading flexibility of the rack 122. During operation, the sprayers 142, 144 may spray liquid onto the basket 150 and its contents. This liquid may clean the utensils arranged within the basket 150.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away view of an example silverware basket assembly 200. The assembly 200 may include the basket 150 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The basket 150 may have a frame made up of four sides forming a rectangular shape where a first pair of sides 206 are connected by a second pair of sides 208, where the first pair of sides 206 are longer than the second pair of sides 208. A middle support 212 may be arranged at the center of the first pair of sides 206 and extend between the first pair of sides 206 so that the support 212 is perpendicular with the first pair of sides 206 and parallel with the second pair of sides 208. A handle 213 may extend above the middle support 212 to allow for easy gripping by the user during removal and placement of the basket in the rack 112.

A plurality of partitions 210 may extend between one pair of sides along the length of the basket 150. The partitions 210 may be spaced and parallel with each other and the second pair of sides 208, as well as the middle support 212. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the partitions 210 are equally spaced, but may be placed at varying distances so as to vary the length of the cavities that each partition 210 defines. The partitions 210 may facilitate holding utensils upright within the basket 150.

Each cavity may be closed via a basket base 214 at the bottom of the basket 150. Each cavity may have a separate base 214 and each base 214 may be vertically movable within the cavity. The base 214 may be maintained laterally within the cavity via the sides 206, 208, partitions 210 and middle support 212. In some examples, recesses, guides or rails may be defined or included on the partitions 210 or sides 206 to aid in maintaining the base 214 generally level. The bases 214 are discussed in further detail below.

Each of the sides 206, 208, support 212, partitions 210, and bases 214 may be formed by a plurality of interconnecting strips that define openings between the strips. The openings allow fluid to enter into the basket 150 and reach the utensils housed within the cavities. The example illustrated in the figures illustrates a grid-like structure, but other structures may be appreciated. In some example, one or more of the sides 206, 208, support 212, partitions 210, and bases 214 may also be solid. The basket 150 may be made of a plastic material, but other materials such as silicon, aluminum, etc., may also be used. The basket 150 may be coated or overmolded wire mess, stainless steel, etc.

The assembly 200 may also include a camshaft assembly 204 arranged below the basket 150. The camshaft assembly 204 may be arranged and fixed on the first rack 122 such that the camshaft assembly 204 is maintained on the rack 122 when the basket 150 is removed. The camshaft assembly 204 may include a plurality of cams 220 spaced along a shaft 222. The cams 220 may have a lobe or lever portion 225 on one side of the shaft 222 (as best shown and labeled in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) and a heal on the other side of the shaft 222. The cams 220 are fixed to the shaft 222 such that the cams 220 rotate as the shaft 222 rotates.

The cams 220 are alternatingly arranged so that the lever portion 225 of one cam 220 does not align with the lever portion 225 of the adjacent cam. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the cams 22 are alternatingly arranged such that the lever portion 225 of one cam is opposite that of the next cam. That is, if one lever portion 225 is generally arranged above the shaft 222, the lever portion 225 of the adjacent cam is arranged below the shaft.

Upon rotation of the shaft 222, the cams 220 may also rotate. Each base 214 is configured to move with its respective cam 220. As the shaft 222 rotates, the relative position of each cam 220 also rotates. This in turn causes the bases 214 to move in the vertical direction. This is discussed in further detail with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4 below.

The camshaft assembly 204 may be controlled by a gearing system 230. The gearing system 230 may be fixed to the first rack 122, or the gearing mechanism may be attached the back wall of the dishwasher cavity. In this latter example, when the rack 122 is pulled from the cabinet for loading or unloaded of items, the shaft 222 may disengage from the gearing system 230. The shaft 222 may reengage with the gearing system 230 when the rack 122 is returned to the cabinet.

The gearing system 230 may include a gearing mechanism 226 such as a Michigan manifold. The gearing mechanism 226 may include a Pelton wheel configured to generate a rotary motion. The wheel may be driven by a jet stream provided by a feed tube. Thus, water from the dishwasher 100 may be used to drive the gearing system 230 and thus rotate the camshaft assembly 204. The use of a motor may be avoided, keeping costs and maintenance low. However, motors may be used in the alternative or in addition to the wheel.

The camshaft assembly 204 may include a controller 228 to control the components herein such as motors, gears, sensors, etc. For example, the controller 228 may control the gearing system 230 and thus control the shaft 222 and cams 220. The controller may include the machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the dishwasher 100. Many known types of controllers can be used for the controller 228. It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to implement the control software.

The controller may also include or be coupled to a memory configured to include instructions and databases to carry out the systems and processes disclosed herein. The controller 228 may also be part of the general dishwasher control system that controls wash cycles and other systems. The controller 228 may be programmed to rotate the shaft 222 during high spray volume times of the cycle. The controller 228 may also be programmed to rotate the shaft 222 at specific speeds for the most optimum wash capabilities.

The controller 228 may receive data and commands from the system components and may also have an antenna for wireless communication with the devices within the dishwasher 100, as well as device remote from the dishwasher 100. In one example, the controller 228 may receive commands from a user interface on the dishwasher 100. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 228 may receive commands from a mobile application on device remote from the dishwasher 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevational view of an example utensil basket 150 and camshaft assembly 204 where one of the bases 214 is in a first or lower position. FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevational view of an example utensil basket 150 and camshaft assembly 204 where one of the bases 214 is in a second or higher position.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the lever portion 225 of the cam 220 is arranged below the shaft 222. In this position, the base 214 of the respective cavity is arranged at a lower first position. In this position, the utensils 232 residing in the cavity are also in a lower position. The utensils 232 may reach a first height H1. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the lever portion 225 of the cam 220 is arranged above the shaft 222. In this position, the base 214 of the respective cavity is forced upward by the lever portion 225 of the cam 220 when the cam 220 is rotated into this position. By increasing the height of the base 214, the height of the utensils 232 increases to a second height H2. As illustrated, the spray pattern relative to the basket 150 may remain consistent. However, the utensils 232 may be moved in order to present a different portion of the utensils 232 into the spray.

Further, because the cams 120 are arranged along the shaft 222 to alternate the radial position of the lever portion 225 between adjacent cams, every other cavity has a base 214 in the elevated position, while the other bases 214 are in an opposite or lower position. This allows the utensils 232 in adjacent cavities to be lower than those in the cavities with the elevated bases 214. Accordingly, these higher utensils 232 may be more accessible to the spray from the sides, in addition to the tops which are more accessible due to the height increase. There is less blockage of the utensils due to adjacent utensils in the neighboring cavities being lower than the elevated ones.

With minimal parts, the flexible bases 214 of the basket 150 may allow for increased cleaning capabilities of utensils stored within the basket 150. The basket 150 may load and unload and be removable from the rack in a traditional sense, increasing user satisfaction. Furthermore, various portions of the utensils may be accessible to the spray without the need for individual silverware separators that are timely to load and unload and limit the space for silverware in a basket.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dishwasher system for cleaning dishes, comprising: at least one rack configured to receive a silverware basket, the basket including a plurality of partitions creating a plurality of cavities within the basket for receiving utensils for washing, where each cavity includes a separate and distinct base at a bottom of the basket that is vertically movable within the cavity, a camshaft fixed to the rack and operable by a gearbox configured to rotate the camshaft with respect to the rack, the camshaft arranged below the silverware basket, and a plurality of cams extending along the camshaft, at least one cam being arranged below each cavity, wherein upon rotation of the camshaft by the gearbox, each cam affects the height of the respective base to allow the utensils in the respective cavity to be intermittently lifted and exposed to spray from sprayers within the dishwasher.
 2. The dishwasher system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities form a row of adjacent cavities configured to receive utensils.
 3. The dishwasher system of claim 2, wherein the cams are arranged at alternating relative orientations along the camshaft to lift silverware in at least one of the cavities to exposed utensils for greater exposure to the spray without the utensils being blocked by other utensils within adjacent cavities.
 4. The dishwasher system of claim 1, wherein each cam has an elliptical shape.
 5. The dishwasher system of claim 1, wherein each cam includes a lever portion configured to lift the base of the respective cavity when the cam is rotated to the top of the camshaft.
 6. The dishwasher system of claim 5, wherein the lever portion of the at least one cam arranged below a base is arranged below the camshaft when the lever portion of the at least one cam arranged below an adjacent base is arranged above the camshaft.
 7. The dishwasher system of claim 5, where the lever portion of one of the cams is unaligned with the lever portion of any adjacent ones of the cams such that the bases of adjacent cavities are continually arranged at different heights.
 8. The dishwasher system of claim 1, wherein the gearbox includes a manifold gear.
 9. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the gearbox includes a Pelton wheel driven by a jet stream created by a feed tube.
 10. A utensil tray for a dishwasher for housing utensils during washing, comprising: a utensil basket including a plurality of partitions creating a plurality of cavities within the basket; and a separate and distinct base arranged at a bottom of the basket that is vertically movable within the cavity to selectively lift utensils arranged therein in response to a cam arranged along a rotating camshaft below the basket affecting the height of the base.
 11. The utensil tray of claim 10, further comprising a camshaft arranged below the basket and rotatable by a gearbox configured to rotate the camshaft.
 12. The utensil tray of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of cams extending along the camshaft, one cam being arranged below each cavity, wherein upon rotation of the camshaft by the gearbox, each cam affects the height of the respective base to allow the utensils in the respective cavity to be intermittently lifted and exposed to spray from sprayers within the dishwasher.
 13. The utensil tray of claim 12, wherein the partitions define a row of adjacent cavities configured to receive utensils.
 14. The utensil tray of claim 13, wherein the cams are arranged at alternating positions along the camshaft to lift silverware in non-adjacent cavities to exposed utensils in alternating cavities for greater exposure to the spray without the utensils being blocked by other utensils within adjacent cavities.
 15. The utensil tray of claim 12, wherein the cams each have an elliptical shape.
 16. The utensil tray of claim 12, wherein each cam includes a lever portion configured to lift the base of the respective cavity when the cam is rotated to the top of the camshaft.
 17. The utensil tray of claim 16, wherein the lever portion of one of the cams is arranged below the camshaft when the lever portion of an adjacent one of the cams is arranged above the camshaft.
 18. The utensil tray of claim 16, where the lever portion of one of the cams is unaligned with the lever portion of any adjacent ones of the cams such that the bases of adjacent cavities are at continually arranged at different heights.
 19. The utensil tray of claim 12, wherein the gearbox includes a manifold gear.
 20. The utensil tray of claim 12, wherein the gearbox includes a Pelton wheel driven by a jet stream created by a feed tube. 